Healthy eating for acid reflux sufferers involves knowing and avoiding the foods that trigger acid reflux. Symptoms of acid reflux include a burning sensation in the chest and throat known as heartburn. Acid reflux occurs when an esophageal muscle does not close tightly enough after food or beverages enter the stomach. Stomach acid rises back up into the esophagus. Certain foods result in heartburn, but particular foods may affect people differently. Avoid the foods you know cause your acid reflux. Many foods do not cause the problem.
Small Meals
Eating smaller meals at dinner and waiting two to three hours before lying down gives the stomach time to digest contents and avoids heartburn, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The small amount of food also avoids excess acid secretion. Large meals and high-fat foods stay in the stomach longer to encourage more acid production for the digestive process. Low-fat meat, chicken, turkey or fish avoid the problem of acid reflux.
Beverages
Avoiding certain beverages can reduce heartburn. Coffee and other caffeinated drinks, carbonated beverages and alcohol often result in acid reflux. Decaffeinated drinks, nonmint herbal teas, water and juices, except for citrus juices, can prevent or lessen acid reflux, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology.
Dairy Products
Drinking milk may appear to ease the throat with the promise of reducing acid reflux at bedtime. However, milk can cause acid reflux during sleep by promoting acid secretion in the stomach, HealthCastle.com notes. If you enjoy milk or milk products throughout the day, stick to low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt.
Fruits and Vegetables
Most fruits and vegetables do not cause acid reflux and heartburn. Citrus fruits may cause acid reflux because of the acidic ingredients, but apples, bananas, peaches and pears can avoid acid reflux problems. Most vegetables do not result in acid reflux, except for fried or creamed vegetables. Tomatoes can cause heartburn because they also have acidic ingredients.
Snacks
When having snacks, try to avoid chocolate, peppermint, spearmint or many fast foods. Avoid fatty desserts or desserts made with oils, Jackson Siegelbaum notes. Choose low-fat desserts with 3 grams or less of fat per serving. Fat-free or low-fat soups work better to prevent acid reflux than creamy soups or soups containing beef, chicken or milk.
